Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike

Steven Sutcliffe, Fiona Reid, Jennifer Dale and Luke Humphrey. Photo Credit: Jeremie Andrew.

A brother, two sisters and a lover collide in Christopher Durang's Chekhov-inspired comedy Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike, now playing at the Panasonic Theatre.

Set in a Pennsylvania farmhouse, the play opens with co-habitating, middle-aged siblings Vanya (Steven Sutcliffe) and Sonia (Fiona Reid) bickering over spilled coffee and pondering the purpose of their lives. After the death of their parents, who they stayed home to care for, it is apparent that Vanya and Sonia have been missing out while their sister Masha (Jennifer Dale), a famous actress, has been busy living a full and glamourous life.

Following an ominous warning from the psychic cleaning lady, Cassandra (Audrey Dwyer), Masha arrives home for a costume party with a much younger boy-toy named Spike (Luke Humphrey) on her arm and threatens to sell the house. More drama ensues when a scantily-clad Spike meets Nina (Ellen Denny), the sweet girl next door, setting off Masha's extreme insecurity and triggering a comical turn of events.

It's no coincidence that Vanya, Sonia and Masha are named after Chekhov characters in this self-aware piece that refrences plays such as The Seagull, Uncle Vanya and The Cherry Orchard on numerous occasions. In fact, the characters themselves are a mash-up of more than one Chekhov character: for example, Sonia is a combination of The Seagull's self-pitying Masha and Uncle Vanya's homely Sonya, while Masha is inspired in part by The Seagull's Irina Arkadina. Audiences don't need a background in Chekhov to appreciate this show, but it definitely helps.

Highlights of the production include Reid's brilliant and hilarious performance as Sonia, who surprises everyone with her choice of costume at the party. When Masha insists that everyone dress to complement her Snow White costume, Sonia arrives dressed as the Wicked Queen (as played by Maggie Smith in the 1978 Neil Simon film California Suite). Much to our amusement, her Maggie Smith impersonation is impeccable. Also highly entertaining is Sutcliffe's Vanya ranting about simpler times while Humphrey's Spike looks baffled at being scolded for texting during a reading of Vanya's play.

Featuring a terrific ensemble, Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike is a funny and touching take on family relationships that will leave you grinning long after the curtain call. Don't miss this fun, feel-good comedy, on stage until April 5 at the Panasonic Theatre. Visit mirvish.com for more information and to buy tickets.